Paper clip



A 14, 1925. I H. R. BAYLIES PAPER CLIP Filed Oct. 6, 1923 iNVEP-JTOR A /vrx y R ,5 m n/(1.5 BY L p3 E m rg ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 14;, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY R. BAYLIS, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

PAPER CLIP.

Application filed October 6, 1923.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY R. BAYLIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented a new and useful Paper Clip, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in the type of clip particularly useful 1 in securing papers together for filing purposes or as enclosures in letters, and wherein the outer exposed portions of the clip, when in operating position, are approximately flush with the adjacent edges of the paper. Heretofore such clips have been operable from one end only, thereby subjecting the user to the necessity of first ascertaining which end of the clip should be positioned before applying it.

The objects of my invention are, to provide a clip which is more convenient to apply, in that it is operative from either end and from either face; a clip which affords a. pair of oppositely located resilient paper-engaging portions, either one of which, in connection with the body, 1s sufficient to permit the clip to function for the purposes intended; and, one wh1ch is applicable with equal facility and effect from any one of four positions.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is an elevation, showing a face of said clip. 7 Fig. 2, a view of the clip as securing sheets of paper together. i

Fig. 3, the same, illustrating the clip in reversed position.

Referring more particularly to the draw ing, 1 designates the body-made preferably of spring wirewhich is bent in form defining practically parallel side portlons, the free ends of the body 2 and 3 terminating at points adjacent to but inwardly from end portions of the clip. 4 and 5 denote a 5 pair of oppositely located reentrant loop portions located in the same plane as the body, which obviously, in cooperation with the body, comprise the paper-engaging portions of the clip. The bight portions 6, as shown, are preferably comparatively wide so that the clip will accommodate a. considerable thickness of paper, if desired, and at the same time permit any pair of said por- Serial No. 666,956.

tions to be brought in contact with the adjacent edges of the paper.

In utilizing the device, as indicated in Fig. 2, the loop portion 5 is brought into engagement with the front of the sheets of paper so that the upper bight portions are approximately flush with the top edges of the sheets, while the other portions of the clip contact with the rear of the sheets. As is evident, the resiliency of the loop portion, cooperating with the other of said portions as placed, securely hold the sheets together.

In Fig. 3 the clip is shown in reversed position and likewise securing said sheets. The clip as thus used, and shown in operative position in the two figures, has been operated from one face only. As the loops 4 and 5 can be sprung outwardly from either face of the clip, the other face also affords two paper-engaging loops operating in identically the same manner as heretofore shown and described. The construction herein set forth is advantageous to the user in that the clip can be operated from either end, and in any one of four positions, thus relieving said user of the inconvenience of first determining which end should be positioned relative to the paper.

In the present embodiment of the invention I utilize spring wire in making the clip. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, its construction can be varied and still be within the spirit of my invention. For instance, the clip can be stamped from resilient sheet material, in which event it would be expedient to make it in one continuous piece, thereby eliminating the free ends 2 and 3. Or, if made of wire or said sheet material, it could be modified as to form, without sacrificing any of its advantages. I therefore ask that I be not confined to the specific structure set forth.

I claim:

1. A paper-clip equally operable from either end, comprising a single piece of resilient wire bent to provide an elongated body having spaced parallel side portions, one of the side portions including the two free ends of the wire which overlie and extend in parallel relation, and a reentrant substantially V shaped paper-engaging member at each end of the body adapted to, in cooperation with the body, slidably engage and contact approximately flush with the adjacent edge portions of paper secured together by said clip.

2. A paper-clip made from a single piece 5 of Wire comprising a body having a pair of spaced substantially parallel side portions terminating at each end in a bight the same plane as portion, one of the side portions including the two free ends of the Wire bent in parallel overlying relation, and an inwardly disposed paper-engaging loop extending from each adjacent pair of bight portions and in the body.

HARRY R. BAYLIS. 

